Apps help you tackle busy tax season

Part of the appeal of smartphones is their ability to simplify our lives through the use of various applications.

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By Laura Medigovich

recordonline.com

By Laura Medigovich

Posted Mar. 31, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By Laura Medigovich

Posted Mar. 31, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

Part of the appeal of smartphones is their ability to simplify our lives through the use of various applications.

Here are three apps you may find helpful during tax season:

1. iDonatedIt: This is an app created by a team of certified public accountants that helps you track non-cash donations you make to charities. The app tracks the items you donate, the date of your donations and the organizations to which you made the donations.

Because the app is right there on a smartphone, which already has a built-in camera, this app enables you to take photos of the donated items and attach the photos to your donation list. Moreover, the app helps you estimate the value of your donated items.

When tax season swings around, you can email a detailed report of all your donated items to yourself or your accountant. For more information, go to idonatedit.com. The app costs $2.99 and is available for iPhone and Android platforms.

2. Ask a CPA: This is an app that helps you find answers to your tax questions. The app has an archive of thousands of questions from taxpayers just like you, sorted by category for easy searching.

Additionally, if you do not find the particular question you are looking for, you can "ask a CPA" your question through the app, and the answer will be provided by a CPA in your area. The app also serves as a directory of local CPAs that you can search by entering your zip code. For more information, go to askacpa.pro. The app is free and is available for Android and iPhone platforms.

3. IRS2Go: This is an app from the IRS that lets you check the status of your all-important tax refund, among other things. For security purposes, your Social Security number will be masked and encrypted when you enter it. Additionally, you can easily view the numerous IRS YouTube videos through the app. For more information, go to irs.gov. The app is free and is available for the Android and iPhone platforms.

Use common sense when buying and using apps. Make sure you purchase the apps from reputable vendors and always be leery of unsolicited app offers that come through email. They could be look-alike imposter apps trying to steal your information. To be on the safe side, go to reputable sites like iTunes, Android Marketplace or Amazon to make your purchase.

Also, beware of public Wi-Fi hot spots where smartphones and computers can be more easily hacked; these are not the places to enter in or access personal data. And, of course, password-protecting your device will provide another layer of protection should your smartphone be lost or stolen.

So, go on and be app happy!

Laura Medigovich is a certified financial planner and vice president for M&T Bank's Hudson Valley region. The views expressed by the author are her own and are not endorsed by M&;T Bank, M&T Securities or their affiliates.